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Old 01-01-2015, 05:00 PM
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Torkdiesel Torkdiesel is offline
 
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Default Christmas came a little late this year, but I don't mind one bit :)

So we woke up yesterday morning to -5 temps and figured it would be a beauty day out on the line with the family. Had to pack a little extra gear with the little man along (he just turned 2) but well worth the extra work getting to see his face take it all in out there



All packed up and ready to go


So for those of you who read my last wolf adventure you're well aware of how frustrating this year has been. With marten numbers down and my resident wolf pack seaming to have a six sense it just hasn't been my year. The last two checks have produced absolutely nothing on the east loop so although it was a gorgeous day to be out there my hopes just weren't that high. As we wound through the tight spruce forest trail the little guy pointed at trees and things only he could see. At the third marten box I had connected on a small weasel. I quickly collected him and we continued down the line. Just past the open meadows I pulled up to a blind trail set for Lynx and there stood a year old kitten. Somehow he had been caught by the back foot ??? Must have knocked the snare down and then stepped in it on his way back through, as there were tracks everywhere past the snare and back. A .22 short finished him off and we were on our way again.



Just a km down the trail we pulled onto the old lease road and it was apparent the wolves had been back through the area. In fact you couldn't step on my snowmobile trail without stepping on a wolf track, it was just pounded. Again the excitement of the last time began to build but I still had the misses in the back of my mind so I didn't want to get too pumped up. We followed the trail up past my bait station and nothing had even wondered in to look at the beaver laying there. Up the hill we went towards the first set and as we crested the hill I could see the area around the trap had been torn up. I looked left and right for the drag or wolf or something, but all was quiet. Just then to my right the old grey faced Alpha stood up and I could hear the sweet sound of chain jingling as he pulled it tight. Now I'll admit I was pretty pumped and the wife claims I did some sort of happy dance but I'll deny it until the day I die. He was caught by his back foot and I could see it only had him by a couple toes so I wasn't wasting anytime taking pictures until this big guy was dead. I would never live down losing a wolf I had caught while taking pictures lol. A quick shot between the eyes put him down and I had my first leg hold caught wolf ever.







One of the highlights of the day was when I shot the wolf. The boy was sitting on the sled with mom watching and at the shot when the wolf collapsed the boy said "woof gone" lol



So now I have my first wolf but with the amount of tracks that were traveling up and down this trail I start to wonder if I could have possibly connected on one more which would have just put me over the top. So we head for the second blind trail set and it's clear this is the direction the big male had come from but not nearly as many tracks are on the trail. The second set is a miss and we head back north towards the 3 remaining sets. We load the big guy up in the skimmer and continue on.



Down towards the valley across the creek and the trail is still littered with tracks. We begging climbing the hill on the other side of the valley and break out onto the line again when I catch a glimpse of grey go across the trail. Now with all the wolf sign in the area I start to think maybe it was just another wolf we scared and he's making is escape, and no rifle with me even if I had a shot at him. Again my mind goes into overload when the wolf pops out again on the trail and I realize he's caught in my next set. Not only did I catch my first wolf ever in a leg hold but now a double. This was a pee post set and it connected perfectly on his front foot. This trap was also anchored solid with a handy tree down right beside the trail.







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Old 01-01-2015, 05:07 PM
nube nube is offline
 
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Keep going buddy. I know you got more lol Congrats on an outstanding day.
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Old 01-01-2015, 05:14 PM
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Torkdiesel Torkdiesel is offline
 
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So after dispatching this guy we head down the line to check my last two sets. At the T we go left and the wolves have not used this trail at all. They came from the right but I couldn't have cared less. A double in leg holds was just about all I could handle anyway. So we pass the first set undisturbed and continue on to check the last one about 4 km's away. As we cruise along you couldn't have beat the smile off my face with a bat. I almost forget about the last set when we come around the corner and bam. A black wolf is standing on the trail caught in the pee post set the sledders had sprung on me from the last story.



I couldn't freakin believe it, A triple on wolves in leg holds

From what I could tell this lone black wolf could hear the other wolves that where caught and came towards them to investigate. I have trail cam pictures of the big grey and smaller grey, and another pack of all grey wolves but I had never seen this black one in the area.







All packed up and ready for the trip out. Not much room left in the skimmer





Mrs. Tork was pretty excited about the triple as well




And to top it off we were just in time to catch the sun set on the way home




A big thanks to those that encouraged me to stick to it and not give up on these guys, and all those that came out and helped.

I doubt very much that a day like this will ever be matched or exceeded, it was by far my best day of trapping ever.

Last edited by Torkdiesel; 01-01-2015 at 05:22 PM.
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Old 01-01-2015, 05:24 PM
DC72 DC72 is offline
 
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Awesome...Great work!!!
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Old 01-01-2015, 05:31 PM
nube nube is offline
 
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WOW buddy!! I know the feeling that you had. It is amazing when you finally connect. Well done. That will keep you going for a while and hopefully you whack a few more. I noticed you pinched some toes on 2 of them. Makes me think I want to buy a big beefy trap with good spread like those. I was thinking of buying some 750's if I decide to do the leghold thing but I may change my mind
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  #6  
Old 01-01-2015, 05:39 PM
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I think your going to need a bigger tobaggon there tork congrats on your catch
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Old 01-01-2015, 05:40 PM
Powder monkey Powder monkey is offline
 
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That's a great bunch of pics of an unforgettable day.
Congrats
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Old 01-01-2015, 05:47 PM
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The black beauty!
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Old 01-01-2015, 06:13 PM
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Congrats on a successful day.
Always great to bring the kid along.
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  #10  
Old 01-01-2015, 06:16 PM
MB1 MB1 is offline
 
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Nice job, What an exciting day with the family.
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Old 01-01-2015, 06:23 PM
Secret coulee Secret coulee is offline
 
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O my good the story,picks and outline and to share it with us tork is awsome wow thank you very much.these dogs of the north,as being a pationate K-9 killern have always had me chompin at the bit and storys like youve shown here will always keep my dreams alive thanks so much for sharing.
BIG CONGRATULATIONS
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Old 01-01-2015, 06:30 PM
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drake drake is offline
 
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Big congrats! Keep up the good work. Thanks for all the pics!
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Old 01-01-2015, 06:34 PM
farmer23 farmer23 is offline
 
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Great post! Thanks for sharing that with everyone on here. It is always good to hear of success stories that everyone works so hard to achieve. And to have the family with you makes it that much more special. Congratulations!
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  #14  
Old 01-01-2015, 06:41 PM
war-dog war-dog is offline
 
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Wow that's awesome! I wish I could do the footholds on the line I'm junioring on because the wolf population is out of hand and I'm getting robbed lots...got some snares boiled up tho and hopefully get them set next time I'm out. Congrats again I was really hoping you would finally connect on a few
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:08 PM
waterninja waterninja is offline
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Wow, what a super day. After reading some of your previous posts it's great to see you finally connect. Hopefully it will only be the first of more. What a way to start the new year off.
You sure have a lot of snow where you are trapping.
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:12 PM
braggadoe braggadoe is offline
 
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great work!! the jingling sound of chain,,,,,,,,,,,,so good!!!!
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:32 PM
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Great job Tork , good write up and great pics , had me feeling I was there !! You know what your good luck charm is don't you ? The little guy for sure , better keep taking him .
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:41 PM
scottymac scottymac is offline
 
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Congrats on a great day! Now the work begins, makes me sweat thinking about it.
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:52 PM
Bigmountainrider Bigmountainrider is offline
 
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Great post, thanks.
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:56 PM
Bigwoodsman Bigwoodsman is offline
 
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Thank you for the incredible story and the amazing pictures. It's grest that you got to share that with your family and that you took the time to share with all of us.

BW
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  #21  
Old 01-01-2015, 08:05 PM
Tfng Tfng is offline
 
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I've been following along as well. I'm sure that's a day you will never forget!
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  #22  
Old 01-01-2015, 08:17 PM
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"No Choke"Lord Walsingham "No Choke"Lord Walsingham is offline
 
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Spectacular,

That's an profound day indeed. A huge plus to be able to share such a fine time with your family Sir.

A late Christmas and very Happy New Year for you and yours!
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Old 01-01-2015, 08:19 PM
alder alder is offline
 
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Congratulations. What a great score.
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  #24  
Old 01-01-2015, 08:26 PM
wallydog wallydog is offline
 
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good for you tork I love catching them wolves got five so far this year 3 black and 2 gray. you just cant beat the bridger traps your using worth every dime had you used a smaller trap you would have lost two of those wolves congrats again
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Old 01-01-2015, 10:11 PM
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Red Bullets Red Bullets is offline
 
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Congrats on the wolves. Love the black one. Some taxidermists seem to pay top dollar for black wolves. Something to consider.

Just wanted to mention that if you are catching toes... the pans on your traps might need adjustments. You would have to experiment but it might make better foot holds instead of toe holds.
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  #26  
Old 01-01-2015, 10:31 PM
Shane s Shane s is offline
 
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Nice job. Thanks for sharing. Love the narration and the pictures
Nice to see you take the whole family out your little guy will never forget those experiences.
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Old 01-01-2015, 10:38 PM
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Lefty-Canuck Lefty-Canuck is online now
 
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Very cool, thanks for sharing....those are great dogs.

LC
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Old 01-01-2015, 10:55 PM
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congrats Tork! I guess this makes up for not getting that giant mule deer, eh?!
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  #29  
Old 01-01-2015, 11:17 PM
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Torkdiesel Torkdiesel is offline
 
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Thanks a lot guys. I still can't believe how it all worked out. My little guy was definitely my good luck charm, too bad he can't quite handle the -30 days yet.

As for these wolves future I was offered some decent cash today for both the Alpha and the black female but their futures are at home with me. I contacted Curtis at Silver Willow Taxidermy and he'll be doing a 3 wolf life sized scene on a pedestal base for my trophy room. These guys are just too beautiful to part with.

I guess this years Trapline profits just took a little hit lol
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Old 01-01-2015, 11:24 PM
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Congrats tork! 3 wolves is pretty awesome ! Great story as well
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